La Paz Carnaval 11 February to 16 February 2010. – One of the great elements of the Carnaval is that it not only provides entertainment for many people but it also gives a chance to learn about the true culture if the people. It is a euphoric event where people dance, sing, party and have tons of fun. There are many parties that take place before, during and after Carnival all night and all day. It allows someone’s true heart to come out and have as much fun as possible. Throughout the Catholic world Carnival is a big celebration with the purpose of getting all the craziness out of people’s systems so they’ll be ready for the solemnity of Lent. Mexico is no exception and Carnival celebrations in Mexico are some of the most exuberant you’ll find anywhere.
Though celebrations vary by destination, the biggest Carnivals usually begin with the Quema del Mal Humor, or burning of ill humor. This is usually an effigy of an unpopular political figure and this symbolically represents the commencement of merriment, leaving behind everyday worries and concerns. This kicks off the festivities, including the crowning of the Carnival Queen, and the King – sometimes referred to as the Rey Feo, or “Ugly King”.

There are parades, live entertainment, dances, and carnival games.Festivities end on Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday,” or Martes de Carnaval, when another effigy is burned, this one called “Juan Carnaval,” which represents all the wanton revelry associated with Carnival. This marks the end of the debauchery and return to temperance. On Ash Wednesday folks will go to church to receive ashes and the abstinence of Lent will begin.
The most important carnaval festivities in Mexico would be Mazatlan. Mazatlan’s Carnaval celebrates with costume parades, music, food, fireworks, art exhibits, beauty pageants and more. The event began over 100 years ago and is now one of the world’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations, attracting hundreds of thousands of revelers. Carnaval in Veracuz a bustling tropical port city at Mexico’s Gulf coast is with a rich history and a strong Afro-Caribbean feel. Merida’s Carnaval, a week-long party featuring parades, music and dancing at the capital of the state of Yucatan.

Here at Baja California we have 2 significant carnaval celebrations. at the northern Baja peninsula the Ensenada carneval and here in Baja Sur the La Paz carnaval. Let us write you down a rough schedule of the coming mardi gras days here in La Paz with some of the events and artistic performers that spice up the festivities connected to the 2010 carnaval.

The Parades.
You’ll see the floats and participants every day, it is planned that the parades switches direction. Starting at Marquez de Leon (4-way stop with Vista Coral at the right going direction airport) on Feb.14 and 16 while at Feb. 15 it begins at Molinito. (End of Malecon about where street becomes 2 lanes going direction Pichilingue). The carnaval parades Sunday (Feb. 14), Monday (Feb. 15) and Tuesday (Feb. 16), starting at about 5 p.m. The route follows the Malecon between Márquez de León and el Molinito.
The general theme of this year’s Carnaval is “Alegría Bicentenaria” celebrating Mexico’s 200 years of independence.

Let the fun begin!
On Feb. 11 is opening night of La Paz Carnaval, the “embodiment of a bad mood’ gets burned in effigy in the Quema del Mal Humor. There’s a trial first on the esplanade of the Malecon. With the costumes and soap opera, you’ll be entertained even if you lack Spanish lingo skills. The defendant is different each year. Two years ago, the economy got torched – La Paz Carnaval organizers were ahead of the rest of the world. Hopefully they will come up with some leading idea again…….
Find some 2009 La Paz carnaval images at Estrella de La Paz and from the 2008 carnaval here…. Also the outstanding performance of Gloria Trevi at the 2008 La Paz Carnival is worth a glimpse here…

Continue with a schedule of events here…

No related posts.

Fall 2010 coming to La Paz: 43rd SCORE Tecate Baja 1000.

More about La Paz BCS: Baja Sur, carnival queen, celebrations in mexico, Juan Carnaval, La Paz, Mexico's Gulf coast, Molinito, Paz Carnaval